STRANGE BREW (1983)

If you have a very stereotypical view of Canadians, you're probably picturing Bob and Doug McKenzie (Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas), a duo that got their start on SCTV before blowing up with their big screen feature, Strange Brew. This is our Dumb and Dumber, featuring two dimwitted friends who supply lowbrow humour and charm in an outrageous and ridiculous story about commandeering free beer — a truly Canadian prize if I've ever heard one. Oh, and did I mention it's a loose re-telling of Hamlet? Yup. You should definitely check out the pair from The Great White North; otherwise, take off, ya hoser.

THE WRONG GUY (1991)

In the world of intentionally dumb comedies, The Wrong Guy is one of the most overlooked. Let's start with the premise: after discovering his boss murdered, Nelson Hibbert (Dave Foley) attempts to flee to Mexico as he believes he is the prime suspect, except, unbeknownst to him, the authorities are aware he is not at fault. It's such a simple and silly idea that brings forth plenty of laughs thanks to Foley's over-the-top antics and some repeat gags (Lynn’s (Jennifer Tilly) narcolepsy gets me every time). I'm not one to call for remakes, but you could easily revamp this thing to great effect, too. Until then, the original Canadian comedy gem is there for your viewing pleasure.

SHARKWATER (2006)

One of the most affecting documentaries I've ever seen is 2006's Sharkwater. Director Rob Thomas (no Matchbox Twenty affiliation) travels the world to explore the plight sharks are facing, as well as the people who continue to disobey the laws meant to protect the endangered giant sea wonders. Thomas is front and center as he showcases his humanity and the beauty of these animals. It will change the way you look at sharks, as it did for many others as Sharkwater led to the banning of shark finning in 90 countries across the globe. Unfortunately, Thomas passed away in a diving accident while shooting the follow-up Sharkwater: Extinction, but his team finished the film, which acts as a wonderful tribute.

ROOM (2015)

I admit, some of these films aren’t well-known outside of my home country, but that is not the case with Room. The harrowing story of a mother and her child raised in captivity led to multiple Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture and Best Actress for star Brie Larson (which she won). Larson, along with the feature debut of young Canadian Jacob Tremblay, are sensational in the film as they tell one of the most poignant stories of survival in the face of domestic abuse. Room is the kind of film that makes you think, sticking with you long after the credits finish rolling. If you somehow haven't seen this one, make sure you change that.

LONG TIME RUNNING (2017)

I don't expect non-Canadians to understand the way The Tragically Hip are tethered to the DNA of this country. Hell, I didn't understand until I was older. However, when Gord Downie, the lead singer of the band was diagnosed with brain cancer, leading him to embark on a final tour, it was a national event. Long Time Running captures the ups and downs of this tour, all leading up to the final performance in the band's hometown of Kingston, Ontario. With Downie passing a year later, you're literally watching a man dying in front of you, yet still doing what he loved all his life. He goes all out, performing at the top of his game and closing his career with an unbelievable final performance. The inclusion of a "concert" film here may seem strange, but if you're from here, you get it.

BROTHER (2022)

Brother was my introduction to rising star Aaron Pierre, and it put him on my radar well before Rebel Ridge and Lanterns. The film, which I originally saw at TIFF, didn’t initially hit me at the levels it has grown to since. I was always high on Clement Virgo’s direction and the stunning cinematography, but it is the dynamic between the two brothers that made the lasting impact. Watching Francis and Michael (Pierre and Lamar Johnson) as they navigate the city of Toronto while battling others’ expectations of who they should be is something to behold. Virgo keeps the story feeling intimate and homegrown, adding to the authenticity, and even though I initially pushed back on the portrayal of Scarborough, Ontario, it still feels like Toronto in many ways.

BLACKBERRY (2023)

“I’m from Waterloo, where the vampires hang out!” is just one of the many great lines from Glenn Howerton’s Jim Balsillie in BlackBerry. Playing somewhat against type while still harnessing his It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia rage, Howerton is terrific as the bombastic BlackBerry investor Balsillie. It’s a performance that could have easily gone too far over-the-top to be believable, but he finds ways to ground it. It also helps that he’s juxtaposed well to Jay Baruchel’s quiet and reserved Mike Lazaridis, the CEO of Research in Motion (and creator of the BlackBerry). You get the full story of the company’s rise from practically nothing to its legendary downfall. There are comedic moments, yes, but the drama outweighs them in what ended up being one of the biggest surprises of 2023.

HEY, VIKTOR! (2023)

A large part of this country is its indigenous people, and we're starting to see a lot more of their stories being told. One example, which flew under the radar last year, is Hey, Viktor! This comedy about the journey to make a sequel to the 1998 cult classic Smoke Signals is hilarious. Cody Lightning is a big reason why it’s so funny because he plays into the absurdity of it all while never shying away from poking fun at himself. Even the mockumentary format, which I'm more than tired of, is used sparingly enough that it actually enhances the film. This is probably the most hidden of the gems on this list, but I promise it's worth your time.

MR. DRESSUP: THE MAGIC OF MAKE-BELIEVE (2023)

I've always been big on nostalgia, and nothing is more nostalgic to my childhood than Mr. Dressup. For those born between 1967 and 1996, Ernie Coombs helped raise us. He was our Mr. Rogers, which is only solidified by the fact that the pair maintained a close professional and personal relationship. This documentary explores the cultural impact the series had, featuring interviews with numerous Canadian stars who speak of their connection to the show and share some never-before-heard stories about Coombs himself. Whether it's his emotional performance on Fred Penner's Place following his wife's passing, or the tear-jerker of a story his son tells about Coombs' stroke, this film does for Coombs what Won't You Be My Neighbor? did for Fred Rogers. That is to say, it does him justice.